Aida Laleian: Architecture in Romania and Armenia

Supposedly founded by Hovhannes, Bishop of Vahanavank and developed by the Orbelian Families, Noravank Monastery, 13th-14th century, Noravank, Armenia. Image and data from: Aida Laleian

Artstor has collaborated with Aida Laleian to release nearly 1,000 images of architecture in Romania and Armenia in the Digital Library. Laleian, a photographer and scholar, traveled extensively in both countries to document architecture and historic sites. In Romania, she photographed ancient and medieval churches, monasteries, and castles. Of particular note are the painted monasteries of Bucovina in the Moldavia region of northeastern Romania. Dating from the 15th through 17th centuries, these Orthodox monasteries are adorned with exceptional exterior and interior fresco decoration. Considered masterpieces of Byzantine art, seven of the monasteries were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993. In Armenia, Laleian documented classical, medieval, and modern architecture, including churches and monasteries from the 4th through 19th centuries.

Born in Bucharest, Romania, Aida Laleian is Professor of Art at Williams College. She received her B.F.A. from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and her M.F.A. from the University of California, Davis. Laleian is best known for her manipulated photography, creating self-portraits as allegorical or mythological figures and hybrid human/animal creatures. Her work as been exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Photography, the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Garden, and the Houston Center for Photography.